OUNDED
M C
IA E WIL
L
Volume 215, No. 36
DG
• 6 pm 5 1 . t p m , Se Friday neonta.co tedxo VISIT www.
JU
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
1808 BY
OOP
E
•F
IN
R
founded in 1808
YOUR NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS, page 6
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, September 7, 2023
Newsstand Price $1
A First Look at the Candidates
Basile, Benton Open Up About Themselves, Co. Clerk Position OTSEGO COUNTY—On November 7, Jennifer Basile (REP, CON) and MacGuire Benton (DEM, CSE) will face off in the race for Otsego County clerk. This week, both candidates answer a set of 10 questions to get people thinking and help voters make the best choice come Election Day. 1. Why are you running for the position of Otsego County clerk? BASILE: I have been asked this question many times in the past nine months. To me, running for Otsego County clerk was something I absolutely without a doubt had to do. There has never been any question in my mind as to whether or not to run. I genuinely care about the offices of the clerk, the staff and the community. I wholeheartedly love what I do every single day and take great pride in my job. I have spent over 14 years in this office, and I deeply care for the future of the offices and everyone these offices serve. BENTON: Growing up in a household where service to others was prioritized and looking out for your community was rewarded, I’ve been drawn to public service my entire life. I made the decision at an early age to dedicate my personal and professional life to public service and volunteerism. I’m running for Otsego County clerk because there is important work that needs to be done to improve the office. My experience in elected office and in private business has prepared me to get it done. 2. What distinguishes you from your opponent? BASILE: My entire professional career is what distinguishes me from INSIDE ► middlefield comp plan meetings set, page 2 ► UPCOMING EVENTS, page 3
my opponent, having been in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office for over 14 years and having been appointed deputy county clerk for two terms. I know the offices inside and out, the functions within the offices, and how to effectively run them. BENTON: Relevant private sector business experience is what is needed to improve customer satisfaction and the process of transactions and filing. As the only candidate with private sector experience in the last decade, I am uniquely qualified to deliver on those improvements. I understand the responsibility of the public trust as the only candidate who has been elected to and served in public office. 3. What do you see as the county clerk’s primary role? BASILE: The primary role of a county clerk is to accurately process and maintain every document within the county, ranging from a DBA registration to mortgages, deeds, lawsuits and litigation, etc. The county clerk serves as Clerk of the Courts and is “keeper of the record.” The county clerk’s other main function is to oversee DMV under the Department of Motor Vehicle rules and regulations. BENTON: The role of county clerk is an executive leadership position. It requires steady, positive, clear support of the employees in the office so we can deliver courteous, friendly customer service to everyone in the county, whether they frequent the office or utilize it once or twice a year. Ensuring timely filings of vital documents and Continued on page 11
Photo provided
Spirit of the City ONEONTA—Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek presented members of the Oneonta Federated Garden Club with the Spirit of the City Award at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, August 15. The club was organized 90 years ago and provides scholarships in addition to its work to beautify the city. Drnek cited the club’s community engagement, including an annual wreath-making workshop, plant sales and horticultural education programs. From left are: Laurie Trelease, Wendy Miller-Willis, Mayor Drnek, Kathy Grygiel, Sophie Richardson and Susan Lettis.
Harvest Supper Set for October 1
G
COOPERSTOWN rowing Community once again invites residents from around the area to bring a potluck dish and pull up a chair to its community dining table at the 9th Annual Community Harvest Supper. The dining table will be set up on Main Street from Fair to River streets on
Morris Ceremony Commemorates Revolutionary War Soldier By TERESA WINCHESTER
MORRIS thought it would just be Gary Norman and me,” mused John Avedian at Zion Episcopal Church’s Harmony Cemetery in ► lots and lots of Morris on September 2. A grave stone to honor Avedian’s fifth letters TO THE EDITOR, great-grandfather, Benjamin Weston, a Revolutionary War ensign page 4 in the 9th Connecticut Regiment, had just been erected. ► ‘benefit cliff’ examined, Weston, born in Massachusetts, was residing in New Lisbon at page 5 the time of his death in 1818. With the help of cemetery surveys ► Cooperstown food procured by Avedian and Zion Church’s vicar Gary Norman, pantry implements new Weston’s grave was located after two attempts to find it. A foot intake program, page 7 stone with the initials “B.W.” and an adjacent headstone bearing ► Events focus on Mary Weston’s name confirmed the find. Literacy, otselic river, Contrary to Avedian’s initial expectation, approximately 55 page 10 people attended the headstone dedication. “I’m overwhelmed with the turn-out, support and interest,” said Follow Breaking News On Avedian, who resides in Winchester, Massachusetts. A number of attendees were Avedian family members, hailing from Massachusetts, Michigan and Wisconsin. They included OTSEGO.com his wife, daughter, and son, three sisters, a brother-in-law, two nephews, and a niece. Continued on page 7 ► guest editorial by paula diperna, page 4
Sunday, October 1 from 4-7 pm. The Stoddard Hollow String Band will once again be on hand to add to the festive harvest mood, and games for kids will be available on the library lawn. The Community Harvest Supper is BYOE—“bring your own everything: • A potluck dish to pass made, if Continued on page 11
I
All
Photo by Teresa Winchester
Members of the Oneonta and Tianderah chapters of NSDAR participated in a ceremony to erect a relacement headstone for Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Weston. From left: Linda Pearce, Barbara Pearce, Marcia Foote, Linda Sokolowski, Jaci Bettiol, Elaine Garito, Lorna Pearce, Helen Rees, and Jeanne Westcott. Kneeling: John Avedian, a Weston descendant.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
Some Things Will Never Change like our quality, value and commitment to community service.
AllOTSEGO.com
► sUBsCRIBE at
Stay Strong | Stay Safe | Stay HealtHy | Stay Informed
L
Home
O M C O PE
IA E WIL
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
OUNDED
DG
ONEONTA
•F
1808 BY
08 - 2023
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
R
IN
20
ta
HOMETOWN
15
th anniversary
JU
t
n eo
EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890
n on ow
founded in 1808
AllOTSEGO.com